Keith Frazier Reportedly Leaves SMU Program: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

SMU starting guard Keith Frazier has reportedly left the team, according to Rob Dauster of NBC Sports' College Basketball Talk.

Frazier was absent from the team’s game on Saturday against South Florida, and head coach Larry Brown said after Frazier is “dealing with personal issues” and that he “told him to spend time with family.”

At the time, Brown was unsure when Frazier would return.   

Billy Embody of Scout.com elaborated on the possible reasons for Frazier's leave last weekend: 

Frazier was an instrumental part of why the Mustangs received a postseason ban for this season for academic fraud—he earned credit for online course work an SMU administrative assistant completed.     

Frazier then lied to the NCAA about the wrongdoing and missed half of last season during the investigation.

Patrick Engel of Scout.com added context to how limited the Mustangs are at scholarship positions with Frazier's reported departure, given the NCAA sanctions:

Frazier is averaging 11.9 points per game, fourth on the team, and shooting 44.9 percent from the floor. The Mustangs are 13-0 and, along with South Carolina, are the only unbeaten team among the Associated Press Top 25, ranked 15th.

But none of that will matter for anything other than team pride given that SMU is ineligible to compete for the American Athletic Conference title and won’t be permitted to play in the NCAA tournament.